James william gaedistee



(No Model.)

J. W. GARDNER.

BAGK BAND.

Patented Dec. 22, 1885.

N. PETERS, vnuwuum m hur. Washington. D. C

UNITED STATES- Ararat FFICE.

JAMES WILLIAM GARDNER, OF WVHITAKERS, NORTH CAROLINA.

BACK- BAND.

SPECIFICATION donning part of Letters Patent No. 332,888, dated December 22, 1885.

(No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMEs W. GARDNER, of Whitakers, in the county of Edgecombe and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Back- Bands; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawing,which forms part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in back-bands; and it consists in, first, the combination of the central piece with two end pieces,which are connected thereto, and which end pieces are provided with grooves to receive the springs; second, the combination of the central piece, the two end pieces which are pivoted thereto, and which can be adjusted according to the size of the animal, and

which have springs attached to them, the; springs being made adjustable; third, the combination of the saddle, the central piece which is passed through the saddle, and the end pieces which are adjustably connected to the central piece, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my invention is to construct a portion of a harness which can be used as a back-band or girth, and which can be so adjusted as to suit the size of the animal, and which is provided with springs, so as to relieve the animal from sudden jars and jerks caused by sudden stops or jolts of the vehicle or plow.

The accompanying drawing represents a side elevation of a device embodying my in- Vention.

A represents the central piece, which is preferably made of wrought-iron, and of any desired shape, and upon which the saddle is placed when the device is to be used as a backband. This saddle consists of two blocks, 0, which are united together by means of a suitable strap of leather or iron, D, and from the top of each block extends a staple, F, which passes over the central piece, A, as shown. This saddle readily adjusts itself to the shape of the animals back under all circumstances. Each end of the central piece, A, has aseries of holes, G, made through it, and beyond this series of holes are made two separate holes. Through these holes are passed the pivotal bolts J, by means of which the end pieces, L, are connected to the central pieces, A. These 5 end pieces, L, have sockets made in their upper ends, so as to receive the ends of the central piece, A, and through the ends of the end pieces, L, are made a series of holes. Through the ends of the central piece are passed pins N, which hold the end pieces at any desired angle to the central piece, A. When it is desired to close the end pieces in ward toward each other, so as to adjust them to the size of the animal, the pin is removed, and then the end pieces are turned upon the pivotal bolts until the holes through their eX- trerne upper ends register with one of the series of holes through the ends of the end pieces, L, and then the pin Nis again passed through so as to lock the parts in this position. By this means the end pieces can be adjusted in and out at the will of the operator, according to the size of the animal upon which the backband is being used. The end. pieces, L, have grooves made in their outer sides, and in which grooves are placed the spiral springs P. These springs are placed in the grooves, so as to protect them and keep them out of the way, and each one is supported upon a pin, Q, which can be adjusted back and forth in the holes It for the purpose of raising or lowering the springs,according to'the size of the animal. The lower end of each spring is provided with a hook, S, for connecting it to the girth or other part of the harness. These springs ease any sudden jar or jolts, and thus relieve the animals back from injury.

In case it is desired to use the central piece, A, and the end pieces, L, as a girth or as a hold back, the saddle is removed, and then the device can be used either as a girth or holdback, as may be desired. This device is especially adapted to be used in connection with cart-harness; but it can be used, if so desired, with other kinds of harness.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination of the central part, A, with the pivoted end pieces provided with springs, substantially as shown.

2. The combination of the rigid central piece, A, with the rigid end pieces, which are pivoted thereon, and which can be adjusted in relation to each other, substantially as described.

5 3. The combination of the saddle, the central piece, A, and the end pieces provided with springs, substantially as setforth.

4. The combination of thecentral piece, A,

the end pieces, L, provided with grooves, and

10 the springs which are adjustable vertically in the grooves, substantially as specified.

5. The combination of the central piece, A,

provided with a series of holes near its ends, the end pieces, L, which are pivoted to the central piece, A, and which can be adjusted thereon, and the springs which are placed in the grooves in the end pieces, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JAMES W'ILLIAM GARDNER. Witnesses:

J. G. SILLs, J P. ARRINGTON. 

